Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tutagawa kazi kama unavyopenda, ili kila mtu awe na jukumu. - We will divide the work as you like, so that everyone has a responsibility.

tu- = we (subject marker, 1st person plural)
-ta- = future tense
-gawa = to divide/distribute So Tutagawa means “we will divide/distribute.”

Why is it kama unavyopenda and not kama unapenda?

kama unavyopenda means “as/how you like,” because -vyo- marks “in the way that.”
kama unapenda is often heard as “if you like,” since kama without the relative marker commonly introduces a condition. If you want the clear “if you like,” a very idiomatic alternative is ukipenda.

What exactly does the infix -vyo- do in unavyopenda?

-vyo- is a relative marker of manner/degree, roughly “how/in the way that.” Breakdown: u-na-vyo-penda = “you (are) in the way that you like.” Other examples:

Fanya kama unavyosema = Do it as you say.
You can also add jinsi for clarity: jinsi unavyopenda = the way you like.

Can I say utakavyo or upendavyo instead of unavyopenda? Any nuance?

utakavyo (u-ta-ka-vyo) = “as you will/want,” slightly more formal or decisive about the addressee’s will.
upendavyo (u-penda-vyo) = “as you like,” higher-register/literary. All three are correct; unavyopenda is the most neutral and common in speech.

What does ili do, and why is it followed by awe?

ili introduces a purpose clause (“so that/in order that”). Purpose clauses in Swahili normally take the subjunctive. awe is the 3rd person singular subjunctive of kuwa (to be). Hence ili … awe … = “so that … (someone) be …”

Could I say ili kila mtu atakuwa na jukumu instead of awe na jukumu?

Not for purpose. ili prefers the subjunctive (awe). If you use atakuwa na, it sounds like a predicted result (“then everyone will have...”), which fits better after a result connector like hivyo/kwa hiyo, not ili. For purpose, keep awe (or use another subjunctive verb like apate).

Why is it awe (singular) with kila mtu?

kila mtu = “each person,” grammatically singular, so the verb is singular (awe). If you mean “all people,” you’d say watu wote and use plural: ili watu wote wawe na majukumu.

Why does awe na jukumu mean “have a responsibility”?

Swahili expresses “to have” with kuwa na (“to be with”). So awe na = “(that he/she) be with,” i.e., “have.” Hence awe na jukumu = “(so that) he/she has a responsibility.”

What’s the noun class and plural of jukumu? Any possessives I should know?

jukumu is class 5 (ji-/Ø), plural class 6 (majukumu).

Singular: jukumu
Plural: majukumu Possessives agree with the possessee’s class, so:
jukumu lake = his/her responsibility (class 5)
majukumu yao = their responsibilities (class 6)

What about kazi—is it singular or plural here, and can I use an object marker?

kazi is class 9/10; its singular and plural look the same. Context tells you whether it’s “the work” or “the tasks.” You can add an object marker when the object is specific:

Class 9 (singular) OM = i-: Tutaigawa = We will divide it (the work).
Class 10 (plural) OM = zi-: Tutazigawa = We will divide them (the tasks). Avoid doubling with a full noun unless you intend focus/emphasis.

What’s the difference between gawa, gawanya, and gawana? Which fits best?

gawa = divide/split (neutral, very common): Tutagawa kazi.
gawanya = apportion/distribute into parts (often more explicit/administrative): Tutagawanya kazi.
gawana = share among ourselves/each other (reciprocal): Tutagawana kazi (“We will share the work among ourselves”). All are correct; choose based on nuance.

How do I address a group instead of one person in kama unavyopenda?

Use the plural subject marker: kama mnavyopenda (“as you [all] like”). The rest of the sentence stays the same, and kila mtu still takes singular agreement: … ili kila mtu awe na jukumu.